Water vaporizer for a steam iron



April 28, 1970 B. J.STANSBURY ETAL 3,508,354

I WATER VAPORIZER FOR A STEAM IRON Filed July 22, 1969 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS. BURTON J. 674N680?! 2 Sheets-Sheet 8 Bl/kTO/V 00.4 4 //v BY ATTORNEY A ril 28, 1970 B. J. STANSBURY ET WATER VAPORIZER FOR A STEAM IRON Filed July 22, 1969' 3% m T84 mm w W 2 JR MW P0 5 ITI h m L M 2/ m a m 5 III! 5 G lll w H {ML \N y vw/ United States Patent 0.

3,508,354 WATER VAPORIZER FOR A STEAM IRON Burton J. Stansbury, 2530 University Drive, Newport Beach, Calif., and Collin P. McCracken, 3500-378 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood, Calif. 90305 Filed July 22, 1969, Ser. No. 843,471 Int. Cl. D06f 75/06 US. Cl. 3877.6 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In a steam generator for a steam iron where the steam is generated a considerable distance from the flatiron itself, the steam will condense into a liquid, which is detrimental to the iron and also to the material which is being worked upon. To prevent water accumulation in the steam conduits to the iron, an automatic reheating device entraps the liquid and regenerates it into steam. Thus a continuous and relatively dry steam supply is provided for the flatiron.

An object of our invention is 'to provide a novel water vaporizer for a steam iron which will automatically function when a quantity of liquid water is present in the steam supply to the iron.

Another object of our invention is to provide a novel water vaporizer for a steam iron which is interposed between the flatiron and the primary source of steam for the iron.

Another object of our invention is to provide a novel vaporizer for a steam iron which will automatically activate an electrical heating unit whenever a considerable presence of water occurs within the water vaporizing unit.

Still another object of our invention is to provide a novel vaporizer for a steam iron wherein the operator of the steam iron can open the steam conduit to the iron whenever steam is required by means of a solenoid operated valve.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawings, the subjoined detailed description and the appended claims.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of our water vaporizer for a steam iron.

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the water vaporizing unit.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 2-.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the water vaporizer showing the thermal switch.

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuit of the water vaporizer.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 1 indicates a water reservoir and steam generator, one formof which is illustrated in Patent No. 3,436,852, dated Apr. 8, 1969. The steam generator 1 is electrically heated to generate steam and is connected to a source of electrical power by the electrical plug 2. Steam is emitted from the generator through the pipe 3 which extends to the pipe fitting 4. It is possible that steam might condense in the pipe 3, and to prevent this water from being forced into the steam iron 5, I provide a secondary water vaporizer consisting of a secondary electrical steam generator 6 mounted on a base 7. The secondary generator 6 is provided with an electrical heating coil 8 for the purpose of reheating the condensed water as required, and as will be subsequently described. A steam outlet pipe 9 extends 3,508,354 Patented Apr. 28, 1970 from the secondary generator 6 to the flatiron 5, and steam is admitted as required when the operator closes the switch '10 on the iron.

The fitting 4 is connected to the secondary generator 6 'and permits steam to flow from the pipe 3 into the secondary generator. Electrical power is obtained from the usual domestic source 11 which is connected to a junction box 12. A solenoid operated valve 13 extends into the top of the secondary steam generator 6, as best shown in FIGURE 3. The pipe 9 extends from the valve 13 to the flatiron 5. A fluid passage 14, in the valve 13, permits steam to pass from the reservoir 6 and thence to the valve chamber 15. A valve plunger 16 extends into and controls the chamber 15 and this plunger is actuated by the electrical solenoid 17. When the manually operated switch 10 is closed the solenoid 17 will open the valve chamber 15, permitting steam to flow out through the pipe 9 and thence to the flatiron 5. When the switch 10 is released or opened the valve 13 is closed and steam ceases to flow to the iron.

Whenever a quantity of water accumulates in the secondary generator reservoir 6, the temperature of the wall of that generator will drop slightly, which activates the thermal switch 18 mounted on the side of the secondary generator 6. The thermal switch 18 will then close, which closes the electrical circuit to the heating coil 8, thus regenerating the condensed steam and permitting that steam to flow through the valve 13, as previously described.

A drain valve 19 is connected to one side of the fitting 4 so that water can be drained from the generator 6 if necessary.

I-N OPERATION the valve 13. If water should accumulate in the secondary generator 6 the thermal switch 18 will close, thus activating the coil 8 and regenerating the water into steam within the secondary generator 6. When the temperature in the secondary generator 6 rises to a normal level, the switch 18 will open, thus shutting ofi the electrical current to the coil 8.

Having described our invention, We claim:

1. In a steam generator and steam iron combination comprising a steam iron and a steam generating means, a secondary steam generator having a steam chamber therein, said secondary steam generator being arranged between the first named generator and the steam iron, a heating coil in said steam chamber, a conduit extending from said steam chamber to the steam iron, and valve means in said conduit.

2. In a steam generator and steam iron combination as recited in claim 1, and valve actuating means in said valve means.

3. A steam generator and steam iron combination as recited in claim 1, and electrically operated valve actuating means connected to the valve means.

4. A steam generator and steam iron combination as recited in claim 1, and an electrical solenoid connected to said valve means to open and close the same.

5. A steam generator and steam iron combination as recited in claim 1, and a thermal switch on said secondary steam generator, said thermal switch being electrically connected to said coil.

8,508,354 3 4 6. A steam generator and steam iron combination as References Cited recited in claim 1, and a thermal switch on said secondary steam generator, said thermal switch being electrically UNITED STATES PATENTS connected to said coil, and electrically operated valve 1 95 7 5/1934 Wright 77 actuating means connected to the valve means. 5 3,243,313 5/1966 Quick 7 --7. A steam generator and steam iron combination as 3,436,852 4/1969 Stansbury g recited in claim 1, and a thermal switch on said secondary steam generator, said thermal switch being electrically PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner connected to said coil, said electrically operated valve means comprising a solenoid connected to the valve. 10 

